Protective case for optical devices

ABSTRACT

A protective case for optical devices such as binoculars, telescopes, night vision devices or field glasses, which is made of a thermoformable plastic such as a thermoplastic, to at least partly cover the optical device, thereby protecting the latter from environmental influences such as solar radiation, moisture and mechanical shocks, while guaranteeing access to the preferable functions of the device and at the same time being of a light and easily processable material.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to German Utility Model 203 12 522.3filed Aug. 13, 2003, the teachings of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective case for optical devices,in particular telescopes, binoculars, night vision devices or fieldglasses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical devices are frequently used in different places and musttherefore be transported. It is thus important that the optical devicesare effectively protected from damage by external influences such asshocks, vibrations, moisture or scratching. In particular whentelescopes are used for observations of nature, it has to be taken intoaccount that the protective case may be exposed to environmentalinfluences such as rain, sand or solar radiation over quite long timeperiods. Apart from high resistance to external environmentalinfluences, such protective cases for optical devices should also haveas little weight as possible in order to increase the ease of use, andshould permit the case to be removed and put on fast and quietly. Thelatter point of view is important in particular when observing animalsin the wild. Further, economical production of the case presupposes thatthe materials used can be processed without problems and without greateffort.

Protective cases for observation telescopes are known that have atubular form and are made of textile materials or leather. However,these conventional materials frequently have the disadvantage of eitherbeing difficult and thus cost-intensive to process, or only permitting aweight saving at the expense of mechanical stability and resistance toenvironmental influences. Also, such cases are frequently so constitutedthat the device cannot be completely used within the case, in particularbecause not all functional parts of the optical device are accessiblefrom outside in the case. Complete removal of the protective case cantake considerable time, however, and cause disturbing noises that areundesirable in particular when observing animals.

Further, protective cases for telescopes are known that have covers foreyepieces and objectives at their ends. Here, too, these covers are soconstituted that frequently they cannot be removed from their originalposition quietly or, after being removed from the protective initialposition, they disturb the use of the optical device, e.g. because theyare fastened to the case by straps and hang down loosely after removal.

The present invention is therefore based on the problem of providing aprotective case for optical devices that offers optimal protection fromexternal influences such as shocks, vibrations, scratching as well asenvironmental influences such as moisture and solar radiation, whilehaving as little weight as possible. Further, it is a problem of thepresent invention to design the protective case so as to permit fast andquiet use of preferably all functions of the optical device.Furthermore, the present invention is intended to solve the problem ofproviding the protective case made of a material that can be processedinto any desired forms without problems even in large quantities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These inventive problems are solved by a protective case (1) for opticaldevices which comprises a thermoformable plastic (2) preformed so thatit at least partly encases the optical device. Thermoformable plasticsare plastics that can be converted to a softened state under the actionof heat and then be preformed into a desired structure by suitableshaping methods. Suitable plastics are thermoplastics. In a preferredembodiment, the thermoformable plastic comprises ethylene vinyl acetate(EVA). Particularly preferably, the plastic comprises ethylene vinylacetate foam, backed with bielastic materials. The inventivethermoformable plastic (2) has low weight and a good impact and shockabsorbing effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For easier understanding, some inventive embodiments will be explainedin more detail in the following with reference to the enclosed figures,in which:

FIG. 1 a shows the protective case (1) without protecting caps (5);

FIG. 1 b shows the protective case (1) according to FIG. 1 a but turned90°;

FIG. 2 shows the protective case (1) in a linear arrangement with theprotecting caps (5);

FIG. 3 shows the protective case (1) according to FIG. 2 but with aprotecting cap (5) swiveled by 90°; and

FIG. 4 shows the protective case (1) in an angled arrangement with aprotecting cap (5).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The thermoformable plastic (2) can be provided at first as a flatplastic surface out of which a suitable form is punched which is thenthermoformed. Shaping of the thermoformable plastic can be done usingcommon shaping methods, e.g. hot pressing.

The shaping methods are carried out at temperatures that are high enoughto convert the plastic used to a softened state. When ethylene vinylacetate is used, shaping is done at a temperature in the range of 100°C. to 250° C., preferably 150° C. to 200° C.

The inventive thermoformable plastic (2) preformed so as to at leastpartly encase an optical device contained in the case is easy to processand permits the production of any desired structures. This permits theform of the protective case (1) to be adapted optimally to that of theoptical device. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoformable plastic(2) is so preformed as to fit closely at least on a partial area of theoptical device. This causes the optical device to be optimally fixedwithin the protective case (1), thereby avoiding a disturbing shift anda resulting change in already effected device adjustments duringtransport.

The inventive protective case (1) can be adapted to any optical devicesdue to the thermoformable plastic (2). It is preferably a protectivecase for telescopes, binoculars, night vision devices or field glasses.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the thermoformable plastic(2) is at least partly coated with an elastic textile material (3). Thecoating with a textile material increases the protective effect of thecase vis-à-vis environmental influences. The elasticity of the textilematerial (3) further enables the protective case (1) to adapt better todeformation forces acting thereon, and makes it more resistant tomechanical loads. The textile material (3) can be formed either as awoven or as a knit. Bielastic wovens are preferred. Suitable textilematerials (3) can comprise polyester and/or polyamide. If the textilematerial (3) is exposed to a relatively high temperature over a certaintime period during production, polyester is preferred.

The thermoformable plastic (2) can be preformed into any desiredstructures with consideration of the optical device to be received. In apreferred embodiment, the protective case is substantially cylindricaland has at least one open end (4), preferably two open ends (4). Theopen ends (4) permit e.g. a cylindrical optical device with an objectiveand eyepiece to be used without removing the protective case (1).

Alternatively, the thermoformable plastic (2) can encase the opticaldevice completely, if the protective function of the case is to the foreand the optical device is to be removed completely from the protectivecase (1) for use.

In a preferred embodiment, the protective case (1) has tape-sewnsuspension loops in which a carrying strap (11) can be hung. Preferably,three suspension loops (12) are provided on the outside of the case.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, protecting caps (5) can bemounted at open ends (4) of the protective case (1). Said caps ensuree.g. protection of objective and/or eyepiece of the optical device. Theprotecting caps (5) are preferably connected detachably with theprotective case (1), so that they can be removed completely whenrequired. For this purpose an opening tab (9) can be provided on theprotecting cap (5), which is then removed fast and quietly by simplypulling on a tab.

According to the invention the protecting caps (5) can likewise comprisea thermoformable, preformed plastic (2′). Preferably, the plastic iscoated at least partly with an elastic textile material (3′). In apreferred embodiment, the same thermoformable plastic and the sameelastic textile material are used for the protective case (1) and theprotecting cap(s) (5).

According to the invention, the protecting caps (5) can have a zipper(10). Preferably, the zipper extends continuously along one longitudinalside of the protecting cap, the closed end of the protecting cap and theopposite longitudinal side, so that the cap (5) can be opened or closedover this total length by operation of the zipper.

The edges of both the protective case (1) and the protecting caps (5)can be tape-sewn, thereby increasing the durability.

Further preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b show a protective case (1) shaped cylindrically atleast in partial areas, without protecting caps (5). Preferably, theprotective case is substantially cylindrical. The protecting caps (5)can be fastened to the protective case later via snap fasteners (6). Theprotective case (1) is made of a thermoformable plastic (2) which ispreformed in a shaping method so that it can adapt in as tightly fittingfashion as possible to the structure of the optical device to bereceived. The plastic (2) is coated on both sides with an elastictextile material (3). The three-layered structure is indicatedschematically in FIG. 1 b. Said textile material (3) can extend over thetotal plastic surface. Preferably, the textile material (3) comprises abielastic textile woven, which can also adapt to greatly deformed andcurved surfaces due to its high elasticity present at least in twodirections in space.

Besides the openings (4) at the end of the protective case (1), thelatter can have further openings (7) which are preferably provided sothat a surface of the optical device is accessible to be used forfocusing control, enlargement or attaching a tripod. This ensurescomprehensive use of the device without a need to remove the protectivecase (1).

Further, the protective case (1) can have at least one zipper (8) whichis preferably provided along the cylinder wall in the longitudinaldirection. In a preferred embodiment, two zippers (8) are present whichare provided on opposite sides of the cylindrical case and extend alongthe total longitudinal direction of the cylinder wall.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protective case canhave at least one further opening (13) which can serve to allow anyentering water or condensed water to flow out. Further, the upper sideof the protective case (1) can have provided thereon a textile band (14)which is formed into loops at its ends.

According to the invention, a partial area (15) of at least one outerend of the protective case (1) can be somewhat lowered relative to thesurrounding protective case surface. This lowered surface area causes aprotecting cap (5) later mounted to fit the protective case (1) moresnugly. By the extent of lowering one can control the extent to whichthe protecting cap (5) is embedded into the protective case surface.

FIG. 2 shows a protective case (1) which is substantially cylindricaland has protecting caps (5) mounted at its open ends (4). The protectingcaps have an open end and an opposite closed end and are suitable forexample for receiving an objective or eyepiece of an optical device.Both protecting caps (5) are connected detachably to the protective case(1) by snap fasteners (6). Further, the protecting caps (5) can havetabs (9). By simply pulling on a tab (9) one can remove a cap (5)without problems.

Further, the longitudinal axes of protective case (1) and protectingcaps (5) extend substantially parallel. According to the invention, thelongitudinal axis of the protective case (1) is so defined as to extendfrom an open end (4) to the opposite open end (4). The longitudinal axesof the protecting caps extend from an open end to the opposite closedend. This substantially linear arrangement of caps (5) and case (1)makes this apparatus suitable e.g. for receiving an observationtelescope whose eyepiece is likewise fastened to the optical device in alinear or straight arrangement.

FIG. 3 shows the protective case (1) with protecting caps (5) in alinear arrangement, whereby one of the protecting caps (5) was swiveledout of its initial position by about 90° so as to expose an end (4)originally covered by said protecting cap.

According to the invention, the protective case (1) can have at leastone open end (4) provided with a protecting cap (5) which swivels withina plane. Preferably, all mounted protecting caps (5) swivel within aplane. If a protecting cap (5) is connected with the protective case (1)via two snap fasteners (6), the cap (5) can be turned around theconnecting axis of the two snap fasteners (6). This swiveling ability ofthe protecting caps (5) makes it possible for example to exposeobjective and eyepiece fast and quietly as soon as an object to beobserved is discovered.

FIG. 4 shows a protective case (1) with two protecting caps (5) wherebythe longitudinal axis of the protective case (1) and the longitudinalaxis of a protecting cap (5) are present in an angled arrangement toeach other. The longitudinal axes can enclose an angle of 35° to 55°,preferably 40° to 50°. This embodiment makes it possible e.g. to receivea telescope or observation binoculars whose eyepiece is fastened to theoptical device in an angled arrangement.

1. A protective case for optical devices, characterized in that theprotective case (1) comprises a thermoformable plastic (2) so preformedas to at least partly encase the optical device.
 2. A protective caseaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoformable plastic(2) is coated at least partly with an elastic textile material (3).
 3. Aprotective case according to claim 2, characterized in that thethermoformable plastic (2) is coated with the elastic textile material(3) on both sides.
 4. A protective case according to claim 1,characterized in that the protective case (1) is substantiallycylindrical and has at least one open end (4).
 5. A protective caseaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the thermoformable plastic(2) encases the optical device completely.
 6. A protective caseaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the protective case (1) hasat least one open end (4) provided with a protecting cap (5), theprotecting cap (5) swiveling within a plane.
 7. A protective caseaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the protecting cap (5) isconnected detachably with the protective case (1).
 8. A protective caseaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the protecting cap (5) ismounted on the protective case (1) via one or more snap fasteners (6).9. A protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that theprotecting cap (5) comprises a thermoformable, preformed plastic (2′)which is optionally coated at least partly with an elastic textilematerial (3′).
 10. A protective case according to claim 1, characterizedin that the protective case (1) has at least two protecting caps (5).11. A protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that thethermoformable plastic (2, 2′) comprises ethylene vinyl acetate plastic.12. A protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that theelastic textile material (3, 3′) comprises a textile woven and/or atextile knit.
 13. A protective case according to claim 1, characterizedin that the textile woven comprises a bielastic textile woven.
 14. Aprotective case according to claim 1, characterized in that theprotective case (1) has provided thereon at least one opening (7) suchthat a surface of the optical device is accessible to be, used forfocusing control, enlargement or attaching a tripod.
 15. A protectivecase according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective case (1)has at least one zipper (8) and/or carrying strap (11).
 16. A protectivecase according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a protective case(1) for telescopes, binoculars, night vision devices or field glasses.17. A protective case according to claim 1, characterized in that thelongitudinal axis of the protective case (1) and the longitudinal axisof at least one protecting cap (5) extend substantially parallel orenclose an angle of 35° to 55°.